Management

TEAM SAXO-TINKOFF (TST) - DEN

With Alberto Contador - the winner of the Vuelta a España and cycling’s top stage racer of recent years on their books - it almost goes without saying that Saxo-Tinkoff will be targeting the Tour de France this summer. But with some major changes in their line-up overall, there will be plenty of other targets for the Danish squad before and after July’s big date.

Starting with Contador himself, the Spaniard has already stated that the Tour is his top priority, but he has yet to decide whether he will add another Grand Tour to his hit list. So far, the talented all-rounder has said that the Tour of Oman, Tirreno-Adriatico, Critérium International, Vuelta al País Vasco and the Giro d'Italia will all feature on his 2013 program.

Contador will be able to count on three new signings in 2013: Roman Kreuziger, Evgeni Petrov and Michael Rogers - all of whom are talented all-rounders, highly experienced, and perfectly capable of leading the team in their own right when Contador is absent. A former triple UCI World Time Trial Champion, Rogers was an integral part of Team Sky’s victorious Tour de France team last year, whilst Kreuziger and Petrov have both shone in major stage races in the past.

Further reinforcing Saxo-Tinkoff's presence whenever the roads steepen will be experienced Irishman Nicolas Roche, twelfth in last year’s Tour de France; whilst Italian fastman Daniele Bennati is still more than capable of leaving younger sprinters in his wake. 2011 Il Lombardia winner Oliver Zaugg will be looking to up his game in the Ardennes Classics, whilst UCI America Tour's winner Rory Sutherland and US National Champion Tim Duggan have both performed well on the US racing scene for years and will be looking to break through in style in Europe.

As if that were not enough, Matti Breschel’s, 3rd in Gent-Wevelgem last year, return to his old squad could see the talented Danish sprinter and Classics rider back in the thick of the action after a below-expectations and injury-hit 2011 and 2012.

All in all, after an uneven performance in 2012, Saxo-Tinkoff have raised their game across the board with so many new signings. Together with Contador, it makes for a formidable team.